Check rail lock

ABSTRACT

A check rail window lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash and a top sash and including a catch means affixed to the bottom rail of the top sash. A two-part latch means selectively engages the catch means and is affixed to the top rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base. The latch means includes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotal movement about an axis fixed vertically to the base to rotate the first part into and out of engagement with the catch means and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means toward the latch means after initial engagement therebetween. A second part of the latch means is pivotally mounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part to permit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

United States Patent Martin CHECK RAIL LOCK [72] Inventor: Jerry LMartin, Echo Heights,

Owatonna, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Truth Incorporated [22] Filed: March 12, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 123,879

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 789,556, Jan.7, 1969,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..292/111, 292/113, 292/247,

292/D1G .20, 292/DlG. 47, 292/D1G. 49 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 5/00, E05c9/14 [58] Field of Search ..292/109, 111, 113, 114, 247,

292/DIG. 20, DIG. 31, D10. 47, D10. 49

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,462,282 2/1949 Pickford;..292/113 2,873,134 2/1959 Ahlgrennn, ..292/111 2,997,323 8/1961 Riser..292/113 3,109,675 Anderson ..292/1l3 Dec. 19, 1972 7/1968 Martin..292/113 9/1970 Trotter ..292/113 A check rail window lock for a doublehung window having a bottom sash and a top sash and including a ABSTRACTcatch means affixed to the bottom rail of the top sash.

A two-part latch means selectively engages the catch means andis affixedto the top rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base. The latch meansincludes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotal move mentabout an axis fiXed vertically to the base to rotate the first part intoand out of engagement with the catch means and for generally horizontalmovement to draw the catch means toward the latch means after initialengagement therebetween. A second part of the latch means is pivotallymounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part topermit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first parthorizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures a e l 45 CHECK RAIL LOCK This applicationis a continuation of Ser. No. 789,556, filed Jan. 7, 1969 and nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to acheck rail window lock for use with double hung windows having adjacentupper and lowersashes. I

Heretofore, check rail window locks most often were of the toggle typesuch as that shown in the US. Pat. to Anderson No. 3,109,675, owned bythe assignee of this invention, which has as one of its cooperatingparts a narrow catch which is conveniently mounted upon-a narrow sashrail. The other part of the lock is comprised of a cap or lever portionand associated elements which cooperate with the catch in lockingthe-window. The cap has a toggle connection between it and a second sashrail to draw the catch toward the second sash to a locked position. Withsuch locks, relative lateral movement between the two sashes cause thelock to become disengaged. One means for preventing disengagement of thetoggle type window lock is shown in the US. Pat. to Martin No.3,394,955, assigned to the assignee of this invention. The invention ofthis patent pertains to means for retaining the lock in its lockedposition to prevent the lock fromdisengaging on relative lateralmovement between the two sashes. The retaining means is manuallyreleased and is associated with the cap or lever portion of the togglelock to prevent the lock from becoming unlocked or disengaged onrelative movement of the two sashes. The present invention pertains to acheck rail lock which is manipulated similar to a toggle type windowlock, but which does not employ a toggle connection and operates quitedifferent. The unique construction of the lock is such as to prevent thelock from disengaging on relative movement between the two sashes,without employing individual retaining means such as that describedabove.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide anew and improved check rail lock.

A further object of this invention is to provide a window lock of the'character described and including a two-part latch means affixed to thetop rail of the bottom sash by a mounting base for selective engagementwith a catch means adapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of the topsash. The latch means when in locked position lies generally horizontalin a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper and lower sashesand includes a first part movably mounted on the base for pivotalmovement about an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to rotatethe first part into and out of engagement with the catch means and forgenerally horizontal movement to draw the catch means toward the latchmeans after initial engagement therebetween. A second part is pivotallymounted on the base and is operatively connected to the first part topermit said rotatable movement and to positively move the first parthorizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check rail window lockas set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the first part of thelatch means has a generally L-shapcd, slot having a horizontal portionextending generally perpendicular to the sashes and a vertical portionextending upwardly from one end of the horizontal portion, a first pinmeans fixed to the base and extending into the horizontal portion topermit horizontal movement of the first'part relative to the base todraw the sashes together, the first pin means comprising the pivot axisfor the first part and bearing against the upper and lower sides of thehorizontal slot portion to fix the pivot axis vertically, and a secondpin means fixed to the second part of the latch means and extending intothe vertical slot portion whereby pivotal movement of the second partcauses the second pin means to bear against the vertical sides of saidvertical slot portion and positively move the first part horizo n tallyto'lock and unlock the sashes.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a check rail windowlock as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the verticalportion of the L-shaped slot is tapered inwardly to prevent the secondpin means from riding up the vertical portion and loosening the lookwhen generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.

Still another object of'the invention is to provide a check rail windowlock of the character described including means defining an upwardlyfacing abutment surface on the base and a downwardly facing abutmentsurfaceon the first .part of the catch means, the abutment surfacesbeing disposed between the first pin means and the point of engagementof the first part of the latch means and the catch means, the surfacesbeing in abutment when the'sashes are locked together whereby theabutting surfaces, the vertically fixed first pin means, and the catchmeans all cooperating to provide a three point block against movement ofthe top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

Other objects and advantages oftheinvention will become readily apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a checkrail window lock embodying the invention, in association with a doublehung window;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lock of FIG. 1;

FIG, 3 is a central section taken generally along the line 34 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the lock, similar to that of FIG. 3, with the locktotally out of engagement;

FIG. 6 is a view of the lock of FIG. 5 with the lock in a first positionofinitial engagement;

FIG. 7 is a view of the lock of FIG. 6 in a sequential position justprior to becoming wholly engaged and retained; and

FIG. 8 is a view of the lock of FIG. 7 in its wholly engaged andretained position, similar to that of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the invention is susceptibleof embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawingsand will herein be described in detail an embodiment of the inventionwith the understanding that the present disclosure is to be consideredas an exempliftcation of the principles of the invention and is notintended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The

scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

As shown in FIG. 3, the check rail window lock of the present inventionis comprised of three major cooperating parts, namely, a latch means inthe form of asplit cap, generally designated 12, which with itsassociated elements is mounted to the top surface of an upperhorizontalsash rail 14 of the lower sash 16 of a double hung window, a catchmeans, indicated generally at 18, which is adapted for mounting on alower sash rail of the upper sash 22 of the double hung window, and amounting base plate 26.

The catch means 18 extends along the lowersash rail 20 and has anupright portion 28 terminating in an outer hook portion 28a inclinedoutwardly and upwardly away from the lower sash 16. The catch means isadapted to be affixed to the lower sash rail 20 of the upper sash 22with the upright portion 28 extending upwardly from the bottom railadjacent an inner'face 30 of the upper sash 22.

The mounting base plate 26 is adapted for mounting on the upper rail 14of the lower sash 16 across from the catch means 18 and has an uprightportion 31 extending along'the upper rail 14 of the lower sash 16. Theupright portion 31 conceals the interior of the lock when viewed fromthe rear, or from the right in FIG. 3. Integral with the base member areupright arms 34 rising from opposite ends of the base. Upon the uprightarms 34 is pivotally mounted arear cap part 36 of the split cap 12, asat a pivot shaft or first pin means 38 extending transversely betweenarms 34. The rear part 36 of the split cap has a manually engageableexposed lip 39 for easy grasping to pivot the rear cap part 36 aboutshaft 38. The rear cap part has vertical arms 36a pivoted on shaft 38and extending forwardly along the outside of a front cappart 40. Alongits forward edge, the front cap part 40 has a transverse locking hookportion 43 which engages the hook portion 28b of the catch means 18 tohook the window sashes together when the window is closed. as shown inFIGS. 3 and 8. The hook portion 43 is inclined downwardly and rearwardlyat the same angle as the hook portion 28a is inclined upwardly andoutwardly. A second pin means or actuator shaft 45 is fixed to andextends transversely between the arms 36a of the rear cap 36 for apurpose to be described hereinafter. Referring to both FIGS. 3 and 4, atorsion spring. generally designated 46, is wound about shafts 38 and 45and has a lower-arm 46a bearing against the mounting base plate 26 andan upper spring arm 46b bearing against the underside of the front cappart 40 to urge the front cap part upwardly away frornthe catch means18. As will become apparent hereinafter, the torsion spring 46 and itsarms 46a, 46b help to urge the actuator shaft 45 to its seated positionshown in FIGS. 3 and 8.

The front cap part 40 has depending arms 48 at opposite sides thereofand positioned inside the forwardly extending arms 36a of the rear cappart 36,. Each of the depending arms 48 of the front cap part has an I.-shaped slot, generally designated 50, which includesa generallyhorizontal portion 50a extending generally perpendicular to the sashes16 and 22 and a generally vertical portion 50b extending upwardly fromthe rear end of the horizontal portion 50a. It should be understood thatthe terms horizontal and vertical used herein in reference to the slotportions 50a and 50b define the slot portions when the lock is in itsvarious sequential positions of locking as shown, in FIGS. 1

through 4 and 6 through 8. FIG. 5 shows the lock in its inoperative,wholly disengaged position with the orientation of the slot portions 500and 50b reversed from that in the other views. The pivot shaft 38 whichis affixed to and extends between the arms 36a of the rear cap part 36extends through the horizontal portion 50a of the L-shaped slot. Thehorizontal slot portion 50a andthe pivot shaft 38 provide a means formovably mounting the front cap 'part on the base 26 for pivotal movementabout an axis (shaft 38) fixed vertically relative to the base 26 torotate the front cap 40 into and out of engagement with the catch means18 and for generally horizontal movement to draw the catch means 18toward the latch means 36 after initial engagement therebetween. Inother words, the horizontal slot portion 50a permits the front cap part40 to move horizontally relative to the base 26, rear cap part 36, andpivot shaft 38. However, the pivot shaft 38 bears against the upper andlower sides of the horizontal slot portion 50a to fix the pivot axisvertically.

Actuator shaft 45, which is fixed to and extends between the arms 36a ofthe rear cap part 36, is disposed in the vertical portion 50b of theL-shaped slot and comprises an operator for connecting the frontand rearcap parts to positively move the front cap part horizontally to lock andunlock the sashes. As shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, as the rearcap part 36 is pivoted about shaft 38, shaft bears against the sides ofthe vertical slotportion b to positively move the front cap part 40horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.

The lower rear side 50c of the vertical slot portion 50b is inclinedinwardly to prevent the shaft 45 from riding up the vertical slotportion 50b and loosening the lock when generally horizontal forces areexerted on the lock in an attempt to separate the sashes. In effect, theinclined portion 50c acts to tighten the lock when the sashes are urgedapart. v

The upstanding arms 34 of the base 36 are each provided with a cammingsurface 52 on which the actuator shaft 45 rides when the rear cap part'36 is pivoted about shaft 38. When the sashes are locked together asshown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the actuator shaft 45 bears against the camsurface 52 and is seated on an upwardly facing shoulder 54 of the base26.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the base 26 is provided with anupwardly facing abutment surface 56, and the interior of the front cappart 40 is provided with beveled surfaces 58 to provide complementarydownwardly facing abutment surfaces for engaging the abutment surface 56on the base 26 when the sashes are locked together. These surfaces abutat point X (FIG. 8) and, in combination with the engagement at point Yof the hook portion 43 of the front cap part 40 and the hook portion 28aof the catch means 18 and the engagement at point Z between the pivotshaft 38 and the lower edge of the horizontal slot portion 5011,provides a three point blocking means which physically blocks movementof the top sash 26 downwardly in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 3 and8) relative to the bottom sash 16.

The locking operation of the check rail lock as above described isaccomplished by grasping the lip 39 of the rear cap part 36 of the splitcap 12 when in its inoperative position shown in FIG. 5, tilting the capforwardly about pivot shaft 38 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 6) topermit the cap locking hook 43 to be extended over the catch hook 28a.Then by applying downward pressure on the rear cap part 36, as seen byarrow C in FIG. 7, cap locking hook 43 and catch hook 28a become engagedin a first position of locking, as illustrated in FIG. 7. A furtherdownward pressure on the rear cap part in the direction of arrow D (FIG.8) causes the forward cap part 40 to positively move horizontally anddraw the catch means 18, and the sash 22 to which it is mounted,inwardly toward sash 16, with the abutment surface 58 on the undersideof the front cap part seated on the abutmentsurface 56 of the uprightarms 34 of the mounting base plate 26 and with the actuator shaft 45seated on the shoulder 54 of the base 26. This locking engagement causesthe opening between the adjacent sashes to become tightly closed and,because of the three point physical blocking structure as describedabove, thereby making tampering with the lock from without practicallyimpossible and precludes dust or other elements from enteringtherethrough. It should be noted that the cap locking hook 43 and thecatch hook 28a, being slightly inclined, cause the front cap part 40 tobe drawn vertically downward slightly so that the surfaces 56 and 58 onthe base 26 and front cap part 40, respectively, are in abutment.

lclaim:

l. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top railand a top sash with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch meansadapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-partlatch means for selective engagement with said catch means, am'ountingbase for the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top railof said bottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lyinggenerallyhorizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of theupper and lower sashes and including a first part movably mounted onsaid base for pivotal movement andhaving a slot normal to said base withangularly related portions, a first pin on said base and mounted in saidslot to define an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to enablethe first part to rotate into and out of engagement with said catchmeans in a plane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontalmovement to draw the sashes together after initial engagement betweenthe catch means and latch means, and a second latch part pivotallymounted on said first pin and carrying a second pin movable in said slotto apply force in line with the horizontal movement of the first part topositively move said first part horizontally to lock the sashes as thesecond latch part pivots in a plane normal to said base.

2. The lock of claim 1 including means defining an upwardly facingabutment surface on said base and a downwardly facing abutment surfaceon the first part of said latch means. said surfaces being disposedbetween said axis and the point of engagement of said first part andsaid catch means, said surfaces being in abutment when said sashes arelocked together whereby said abutting surfaces, said vertically fixedaxis, and said catch means all cooperate to provide a three point blockagainst movement of the top sash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.

3. The lock of claim 1 wherein at least the portion of said slotadjacent said second pin when said sashes are generally vertical portionextending upwardly from one end of said horizontal portion, said firstpin extends into said horizontal portion to permit said horizontalmovement of the first part relative to the base to draw the sashestogether, and said second pin extends into said vertical slot portionwhereby pivotal movement of said second part causes said second pinmeans to bear against the vertical sides of said vertical slot portionand positively move said first part horizontally to lock and unlock thesashes.

5. The lock of claim 4 wherein the vertical portion of said L-shapedslot adjacent said second pin when said sashes are locked together istapered inwardly to prevent said second pin from riding up said verticalportion and loosening said lock when generally horizontal forces areexerted on the lock.

6. The lock of claim 4 wherein said base has means defining a cammingsurface on which said second pin rides as the second part of said latchmeans is pivoted to move the first part horizontally to lock and unlockthe sashes.

7. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top railand a top sash-with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch meansadapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-partlatch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a mountingbase for the latchmeans adapted to be affixed to the top rail of saidbottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generallyhorizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper andlower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base forpivotal movement, a first pin and an elongate slot one on said base andthe other on said first part defining an axis extending parallel andtransversely to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and outof engagement with the catch means in a plane normal to said base and toenable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together afterinitial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a secondlatch part pivotally mounted on said base and having a second pin, anelongate generally vertical cam surface on said first part engaged bysaid second pin whereby rotation of said second part in a plane normalto said base causes movement of the second pin along the cam surface tocause horizontal movement of the first part.

8. The lock of claim 7 wherein said cam surface is defined by anangularly related portion of said slot.

9. The lock of claim 8 wherein said first pin is on said base and thesecond latch part is pivoted to said first l060ll 0062 downwardly facingabutment Surface on the first part of said latch means, said surfacesbeing disposed between said axis and the point of engagement of saidfirst part and said catch means, said surfacesbeing in abutment whensaid sashes are locked together whereby said

1. A lock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top railand a top sash with a bottom rail, said lock including a catch meansadapted to be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-partlatch means for selective engagement with said catch means, a mountingbase for the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top rail of saidbottom sash, said latch means when in locked position lying generallyhorizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper andlower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base forpivotal movement and having a slot normal to said base with angularlyrelated portions, a first pin on said base and mounted in said slot todefine an axis fixed vertically relative to the base to enable the firstpart to rotate into and out of engagement with said catch means in aplane normal to said base and to enable generally horizontal movement todraw the sashes together after initial engagement between the catchmeans and latch means, and a second latch part pivotally mounted on saidfirst pin and carrying a second pin movable in said slot to apply forcein line with the horizontal movement of the first part to positivelymove said first part horizontally to lock the sashes as the second latchpart pivots in a plane normal to said base.
 2. The lock of claim 1including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface on saidbase and a downwardly facing abutment surface on the first part of saidlatch means, said surfaces being disposed between said axis and thepoint of engagement of said first part and said catch means, saidsurfaces being in abutment when said sashes are locked together wherebysaid abutting surfaces, said vertically fixed axis, and said catch meansall cooperate to provide a three point block against movement of the topsash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.
 3. The lock of claim 1wherein at least the portion of said slot adjacent said second pin whensaid sashes are locked together, is tapered inwardly to prevent saidsecond pin from riding up said slot and loosening said lock whengenerally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.
 4. The lock ofclaim 1 wherein said slot is generally L-shaped having a generallyhorizontal portion extending generally perpendicular to said sashes anda generally vertical portion extending upwardly from one end of saidhorizontal portion, said first pin extends into said horizontal portionto permit said horizontal movement of the first part relative to thebase to draw the sashes together, and said second pin extends into saidvertical slot portion whereby pivotal movement of said second partcauses said second pin means to bear against the vertical sides of saidvertical slot portion and positively move said first part horizontallyto lock and unlock the sashes.
 5. The lock of claim 4 wherein thevertical portion of said L-shaped slot adjacent said second pin whensaid sashes are locked together is tapered inwardly to prevent saidsecond pin from riding up said vertical portion and loosening said lockwhen generally horizontal forces are exerted on the lock.
 6. The lock ofclaim 4 wherein said base has means defining a camming surface on whichsaid second pin rides as the second part of said latch means is pivotedto move the first part horizontally to lock and unlock the sashes.
 7. Alock for a double hung window having a bottom sash with a top rail and atop sash with a bottom rail, said lock iNcluding a catch means adaptedto be affixed to the bottom rail of said top sash, a two-part latchmeans for selective engagement with said catch means, a mounting basefor the latch means adapted to be affixed to the top rail of said bottomsash, said latch means when in locked position lying generallyhorizontal in a plane generally normal to the planes of the upper andlower sashes and including a first part movably mounted on said base forpivotal movement, a first pin and an elongate slot one on said base andthe other on said first part defining an axis extending parallel andtransversely to the base to enable the first part to rotate into and outof engagement with the catch means in a plane normal to said base and toenable generally horizontal movement to draw the sashes together afterinitial engagement between the catch means and latch means, and a secondlatch part pivotally mounted on said base and having a second pin, anelongate generally vertical cam surface on said first part engaged bysaid second pin whereby rotation of said second part in a plane normalto said base causes movement of the second pin along the cam surface tocause horizontal movement of the first part.
 8. The lock of claim 7wherein said cam surface is defined by an angularly related portion ofsaid slot.
 9. The lock of claim 8 wherein said first pin is on said baseand the second latch part is pivoted to said first pin.
 10. The lock ofclaim 7 including means defining an upwardly facing abutment surface onsaid base and a downwardly facing abutment surface on the first part ofsaid latch means, said surfaces being disposed between said axis and thepoint of engagement of said first part and said catch means, saidsurfaces being in abutment when said sashes are locked together wherebysaid abutting surfaces, said vertically fixed axis, and said catch meansall cooperate to provide a three point block against movement of the topsash downwardly relative to the bottom sash.